Kier Group set to bring in corporate lawyer

FTSE250 construction company Kier Group is building up its in-house legal strength as it continues to professionalise the team.

Kier plans to bring in its first in-house corporate lawyer by the end of the month following a restructure of the legal team earlier in the year.

The construction outfit’s current legal function encompasses a general counsel, whose role was created last April, and four construction lawyers. “Following my appointment as general counsel, my focus has shifted to managing the legal function, so I have less time to look at corporate and commercial matters,” said Matthew Barton.

Barton, who joined the in-house team at Kier in 2004 as corporate counsel, added that he may also bring a property lawyer into Kier’s legal team over the next 12 months. Kier’s property division currently relies solely on external firms under Barton’s supervision.